Current collector



Dec. 1, 1942. E. E. ARNOLD CURRENT COLLECTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June28, 1940 INVENTOR WITNESSES Dec. 1, 1942.

E. E. ARNOLD 2,304,058

CURRENT COLLECTOR Filed June 28, 1940 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES:INVENTOR Edwin 7. Arnold. J4-

A 'ATTOR 4 Y 1, 1942- E. E. ARNOLD ,304,058

CURRENT COLLECTOR Filed June 28, 1940 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fly: 14.

WITNESSES v v INVENTOR M' Edwin E. Arnold.

Patented Dec. 1, 1942 a E E r oN rE STAT ATENT QFFICE.

2,304,058 CURRENT COLLECTOR Pennsylvania Application June28, 1940,Serial No. 342,908

(Cl. ISL-59.1)

Claims.

My invention relates, generally, to current collectors, and it hasreference, in particular, to current collectors of the slider shoe typefor collecting current from a trolley conductor for electricallyoperated vehicles.

Generally stated, it is an object of my invention to provide a currentcollector of simple construction, and which is inexpensive tomanuiacture and efiicient and durable in operation.

More specifically, it is an object of my invention to provide forpivotally supporting a slider shoe of a current collector on a supportmember for universal movement about a substantial point contactutilizing retaining means for normally securing the slider sho inoperating relation with the support member, and providing auxiliaryretaining means for preventing accidental separation of the slider shoeand the support member.

Another object of my invention is to provide for maintaining apredetermined minimum contact pressure at a contact point between aslider shoe and a support, and utilizing auxiliary retaining means forpreventing accidental removal of the slider shoe from the support.-

A further object of my invention is to provide for resiliently retaininga slider shoe and a support member in a predetermined operating relationand protecting the retaining means by utilizing auxiliary normallyinefiective retaining means for limiting the degree of separation of theslider shoe and the support member.

Still another object of the invention is to .provide for detachablysecuring a depending skirt and a slider shoe in fixed relation andretaining them in operating relation with. a support memher by resilientretaining means.

Other objects will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, be indicatedhereinafter.

In practicing my invention, a slider shoe for a current collector on anelectrically operated. vehicle may be pivotally supported by a supportmember so as to oscillate about a substantial point contacttherebetween, through which the current may be conducted from the slidershoe. A depending skirt may be attached to the slider shoe by adjustableclamp members positionedon each side of the shoe so as to substantiallyenclose'the point of contact between the slider shoe and the supportmember. Spring members may beoperatively connected to the clamp membersand the support member Within the depending skirt for maintaining theslider shoe and the support member in predetermined operating relation.I A dependent .portion of the skirt may be normally positioned in spacedrelation to means on the support member, and disposed to cooperatetherewith under any unusual conditions to prevent accidental separationof the slider shoe and the support member and protect the springmembers.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of myinvention, reference may be had to the following detailed descriptionand the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a current collector embodying theprincipal features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of. the current collector of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line III--III of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the support member; I

Fig. 5 is a cross-section view of the slider shoe Fig. .6 is alongitudinal sectional view of the slider shoe;

Fi 7 is a plan view of the skirt member;

Fig. 8 is a side view in elevation of the skirt member;

Fig. 9 is an end elevational View of the skirt member;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a clamp member;

Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of the clamp member;

Fig. 12 is a plan View of a current collector embodying a modificationof the'invention;

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view partly in section, of the currentcollector of Fig. 12; and

Fig. 14 is an end elevational View, partly in section, of the currentcollector of Fig. 12.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the reference numeral I0may denote generally a current collector comprising, for example, agrooved slider shoe l2 for engaging a trolley conductor (not shown), abody member M for attachment to a trolley pole or the like, and asupport member It for pivotally supporting the slider shoe on the bodymember.

The slider shoe l2 may be provided with a depending housing or skirtmember I 8 which substantially encloses the support member. For thepurpose of securing the slider shoe and the skirt member together,suitable means such' as the clamp members 20 may be provided, which maybe positioned on each side of the slider shoe. By utilizing bolts 22 andnuts 24 for adjustably securing the clamp members to the skirt memberIS, the slider shoe may be readily secured to the skirt member ordetached therefrom for effecting renewals.

In order to secure the slider shoe I2 and'the skirt member IS inpredetermined operating relation to the support member [6 suitableretaining means may be provided. For example, a ballbearing retainingring 26 of the thrust type may be rotatably mounted on the supportmember I6, and resilient retaining members such as the springs 28 may beoperatively connected between the ring and the slider shoe. For example,the lower ends of the springs 28 may be hooked through openings 30 onopposite sides or the retaining ring 26, while the upper ends may besecured to means such as the depending cars 32 on the lower sides of theclamp members 2!! which engage the slider shoe.

The slider shoe l2 and the skirt member I8 may thus be secured on thesupport member l6 for oscillation in a plurality of planes about thepoint of contact therebetween. The retaining springs 28 are effective tomaintain a predetermined minimum contact pressure at the point ofcontact between the slider shoe and the support member to insure theproper current conducting characteristics for efficient operation of thecurrent collector.

The body member It may be of any suitable construction being, forexample, formed from sheet metal and having a substantially verticalsocket 34 for receiving the support member i6, and an angularly relatedsocket portion 36 for receiving a trolley pole, or trolley poleextension 38. Means, such as the bolts 45, may be provided for firmlysecuring the trolley pole or trolley pole extension in the socket 36.

Referring to Fig. 4 of the drawings, it may be seen that the supportmember It may comprise a substantially cylindrical central body portion42 having a threaded extension 44 of reduced section at the lower endfor receiving a nut, by means of which the support member may be securedin the socket 34 of the body member. Suitable means may be provided forpreventing rotation of the support member IS in the socket 34, such as,for example, the flattened side portions 23 adjacent the threadedextension 44, which may cooperate with a similarly flattened sideportion of the opening in the bottom of the socket 34. An enlarged endportion 45 may be provided adjacent the upper end of the support memberso as to define a peripheral shoulder 55, which may be used for apurpose which will be hereinafter explained.

In order to pivotally support the slider shoe [2, the support member ismay be provided with a substantially pointed contact member 52 at theupper end, which is preferably of a relatively hard material having arelatively low electrical resistance. Beryllium copper alloys may, forexample, be used successfully for this purpose. The contact member 52may be secured to the support member in any suitable manner, being forexample, exteriorly threaded for engaging corresponding threads on theinterior of a central opening 55 in the upper end of the support stem.

By referring to Figs. 5 and 6 it may be seen that the slider shoe 52 maybe generally of any suitable construction comprising, for example, anelongated body member 55 of a non-ferrous metal, such as aluminum,bronze, or the like, and having a longitudinal groove 58 on the upperside with upstanding lips 35 for receiving a trolley conductor (notshown). In order to secure the desired wear and current conductingcharacteristics, the body member 56 may be provided with a wear andcurrent conducting insert 62 to provide a bearing surface on at leastthe bottom of the groove 58 for engaging the trolley conductor. Theinsert 62 may be of any suitable nature comprising, for example, eithera carbonaceous compound, or the like, or a relatively hard metallicinsert, depending upon the particular wear or current conductingcharacteristics desired.

With a view to pivotally supporting the slider shoe l2 on the contactmember 52, suitable means 'may be provided for receiving the contactmember 52, such as, for example, the substantially conical recess 66 onthe lower side of the slider shoe. In order to provide substantiallypoint contact so as to secure the proper current conductingcharacteristics and permit the slider shoe to oscillate freely on thecontact member 52, the sides of the conical recess 65 should subtend arelatively'wide angle compared with the angle included between thesloping sides of the contact member 52. Where it is desired to form thebody member 56 of the slider shoe of a relatively soft non-ferrousmetal, it may be expedient to provide a hardened insert 68 of a materialsuch as tool steel or chilled cast iron on the lower side of the slidershoe having the recess 66 formed therein, so as to provide a suitablesupporting and current conducting contact with the contact member 52 ofthe support member It. The Wear insert 62 and the insert 68 may bepositioned in the body member 56 in any suitable manner, being, forexample, cast integral therewith, so that an intimate current conductingcontact 7 is secured therebetween. Suitable means may 'be provided forassisting in aligning the slider shoe on the skirt member, such as, forexample, the projections 10 on the lower sidethereof adjacent the ends.Projecting side portions 12 may be provided on each side of the bodymember 56 adjacent the lower side for engagement with the clamp members20 to assist in securing the slider shoe to the skirt member [8.

Referring to Figs. 7, 8 and 9, it will be apparent that the skirt member18 may, for example, comprise a substantially hemispherical shell 74,having a relatively fiat top portion 16. An elongated opening 18 may beprovided in the bottom of the shell 14 for receiving the central bodyportion 42 of the support member IS. The sides of the opening may besubstantially parallel, and spaced apart sufiiciently so as to permitmovement of the skirt relative to the support member. A central opening82 may be provided in the top 16 of the skirt member for receiving theinsert 68 on the lower side of the slider shoe, so that the contactmember 52 may be positioned in the recess 66 thereof. Suitable openings84 may also be provided in the top 15 for receiving the projections 10on the lower side of the slider shoe I2, for the purpose of properlyaligning the slider shoe on the skirt member. With a view to securingthe slider shoe l 2 and the skirt member I8 in fixed relation, meanssuch as the cored-out openings 86, may be provided on each side of theshell 14 of the skirt member for receiving the nuts 24. Suitable boltholes 88 may be provided in the top of the skirt member for the bolts 22by means of which the clamp members may be detachably secured to theskirt member. Means such as the openings 80 may be provided in the topof the skirt member at each side for receiving the depending ears 32 ofthe clamp members. With a view to assisting in securing the slider shoeand the skirt member, shoulder portions 92 may be provided at the outeredges of the top 16 to function as fulcrums for the clamp members 2 0.

- Referring to Figs. "10 and 11, it will be'obv'ious that the clampmembers may, for example, comprise substantially 'flat plate portions 94having the ends shaped to. conform with the contourof the skirt member.Means such as the depending ears 32 may be positioned on the lower:sides, having openings 96 therein forreceiving the ends of the retainingsprings 28. Suitable openings 98 may be provided in the plate portionsadjacent the ends for receiving the bolts'22 by means of which they maybe attached to the skirt member. Openings 99 may also be provided in-theplate portions 94 so that a suitable tool may be inserted therein totilt the clamp members on edge to facilitate placing the slider shoe I2in position or removing it therefrom. 1 In assembling thecurrentcollector, the retaining ring 26 may be slipped onto the central bodyportion 42 of the support stem I6, so'that it fits up against theperipheral shoulder 50. end 44 of the support stem; I6 may thenbe-inserted through the top opening 82 and the opening- 18 of the bottomof the skirt member I8, and positioned in the socket 34 of the bodymember I4 of the current collector, where it may be rigidly secured bymeans of the nut I00; The lower ends of the retaining springs 28' maythen'be' inserted in the openings 38 of the retaining ring 26, and theupper ends thereof may-be hooked'through the openings96 in the dependingears 32 of the clamp members 20by drawing them up through the openings90 provided for'that purpose on each side of the top of the skirtmember. The slider shoe I2 may then be positioned with the contactmember 52 in the recess 66, and secured in fixed relation to the skirtmember I8 by inserting a suitable tool in one of the openings 99 of theclamp members and tilting it on edge'so that the side portions I2 of theslider shoe maybe positioned under the edges of the clamp members 20,

positioning-thebolts 22' through the openings '98 in the clamp membersand the corresponding openings 86 in the top portion of the skirtmember, and tightening the nuts 24. I

The slider shoe I2 is then free to oscillate on the contact member 52 ofthe support member I6, being limited onlyby the sides' 80 ofthe openingI8 in the bottom of the skirt member, which prevent oscillation of theslider shoe aboutan axis parallel to the longitudinal'axis of the slidershoe, or the groove 58. The retaining springs 28 normally providea'predetermined minimum contact pressure between the contact member 52and the insert-68' in the bottom of the slider shoe, so as to'normall-yprevent any separation of these members and provide a'relativelyj goodconducting path for collecting current from the slider shoe.

'It will be observed that the sides -80 of the opening I8 in the bOttOm'Of the skirt member I8- normally limit only-the degree of oscillationof the slider shoe I2 and the skirtmember I8 on the contact member52,and do not otherwise engage or interfere with the support member.*"However', should there be a tendency for the, slider'shoe I2 and theskirt member I8 to be separated from the securedagairist upward movementon the support member I'B by the peripheral shoulder '5 0. In thismanner, an-auxiliary retaining means provided for preventing accidentalremoval of the slider The lower generally a current collectorcomprising, a slider shoe I I2 pivotally supported on 'thecontact'member I I-"of a support uremiaer: (II a; which is 1 30-sitioned in a body memberl m" having a socket portion I20for'lebe'ivih'g 'atrol-ly pol e or trolley pole extension l zzr 1 Inthis modification 0f the invention, the Slider shoe 1- 2 may beprovidedwith a substantially conical recess I24 on thelower side forreceiving the contact member I I4, and-an elongated groove I26, in theupper .si'de for receiving "a trolley wire.--F'lang'ed side portionsI-28"ma y be provided having opening therethrough for receiving means,-such as the bolts" I 30', forattaching a dependingskirt member I 32'the'1e'to. Suitable means, such as the rivets-I34 may be positioned inopenings I36 in the flang'ed's'id'e portions I28 for securing the upperends of retaining springs I38, The lower ends of the retaining springsI38 may be secured' by means such as the extending ears I40 of aretaining or thrust ri'ng I42, which maybe rotatablymounte'd on thesupport member I'I6 and: positioned against a peripheral shoulder I44thereof. I Y For the purpose of preventing a'ccidental removal of theslider shoe ll2andthe skirt memberzl32 from the support member II6,during operation, auxiliary-retainingmeans maybe provided. For example,a support member. II 6' may be provided with anv enlarged headportionI46 at theupper end, forming a perip'h'eral'shoulder I48. The dependingsides I50 of theskirt member I3'2-may.be provided with. inwardlyprojecting portions I52 at the lower;end thereof, having sufficientclearance .therebetwe'en to normally freely permit motion of: theskirt-member. I32

relative to thesupport member in the vertical plane passing. through;the. longitudinal axis 3 of the slider shoe, but'adaptedto'interferewith the:

peripheral. shoulder I48 if there should be any any excessive force beapplied to the-slider shoe shoe from the contact-member, and protectingand skirt member, tending to remove them from the support member,theiinwardly projecting portions I52 will. engage the peripheralshoulder I48 to prevent; the removal. At the same time, this operatingcharacteristics of the current co1lector. :The enlarged head's'portionI46 maybe slightly elongated if desired, so that the projecting front-and=rear portions engage the depending sides I50 .of the skirt memberinterfere therewith after a predetermined degree of rotation of theslider shoe and skirt member about a vertical axisQ- Limitedrotation-ofthe slider shoe is thus'provided for.,

From the above description and the accom panying drawings, itv ,willbeapparent that I have, by my invention,v provided, a current collector ofsimple construction, which may be readily manufactured, and which isefficient and .durable in operation. Ina current'collector embodying thefeatures of myinvention, the slider shoe may be readily removedtherefromffor renewal an inspection purposeswith a minimum ot effort.such a currentcollector has 'very desirshoe may freely oscillate about apoint of contact between the slider shoe and the support member. Becauseof the relatively high contact.pres-' sure which may bemaintained;between -the contact member and the slider .shoe,.the currentcarrying characteristics thereof remain substantially unaifected overlong periodsof use and the undesirable heating normally encountered incurrent collectors'is materially reduced. The auxiliary retaining meanseffectively prevents the accidental removal of the slider shoe from thecontact 'member, and also protects theretaining springs so as to assistin preserving the desired operating characteristics.

Since certain changes I may be made in the above description, and:difierent embodiments of the invention may be made without. departingfrom the spirit thereof, it is. intended that all the matter containedin the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings,- shallbe port only after predetermined deformation of the resilient retainingmeans to limit the degree of separation of the slider shoe and thesupport.

2. A current collector comprising, a slider shoe,

support means positioned beneath the slider shoe for supporting theslider shoe'includingrelatively movable surfaces having-a substantiallypoint contact therebetween to..provide for. oscillation of the slidershoe in aplurality of planes about.

said substantially point contact, resilient retaining means connecting.the slider shoe" and the support means normally effective-to secure theslider shoe of the support means,- and a skirt member dependentfrom theslider shoe cooperative with the supporting means only after pre-'determined deformation of the resilient retaining means to preventaccidental'removal of the slider shoe therefrom.

3. In a current collector, in combination, a support member, a slidershoe supported on the support member for substantially universalmovement having a. groove on the upper side for engaging atrolleyconductor and a hardened insert on the lower side insubstantially point con tact relation with the support member, retainingmeans for normally securing the slidershoe and the support member inpredetermined relation,

and normallyinoperative auxiliary retainingmeans cooperative withthesupport member under abnormal conditions to prevent accidental removalof the slider shoe from the ber. 7

4. In combination, a slider shoe, a. support positioned beneath theslide shoe for pivotally supporting the slider shoe in substantially:point' contact relation, a housing positioned beneath the slider shoe,means for detachably securing the slider shoe and the housing in fixedrelation,

retaining means positioned'within the housing normally effective tosecure the slider shoe and the housing in operating relation'with thesupport, and normally inoperative auxiliary retaining means on thehousing cooperative with the,

support'mem-.

support. uponpredetermined deformation of the able operating.characteristics, since :the'jslider' retaining means for preventingaccidental sepa-- ration .ofthe slider shoe and support.

; 5. Alcurrent' collector; comprising a,substantially. vertical support,a .slidershoe loosely positioned on; and having substantially pointcontact with the support, a skirt. member positioned about the support,means-secured to the upper side of the skirt .member. for.detachablysecuring the; slider .shoeand the skirt member' in' fixedrelation, .resilient retaining. means...norma1ly .co.- operative withthe said means to maintain the slider shoe on the support, and normallyinoper-.

ative retaining means. on the skirt member;co-' operative. with thesupport upon a predetermined. separation ofthe shoe andsupport toprevent.v

greater than said predetermined separation of theslider shoe and thesupport.

6.;In a current collector, in combination, a. support, .a slidershoesubstantially loosely posisilient means to normally. secure the slidershoeon the supportin operating relationyandnormally inoperative means onthe housing cooperative with the supportupon a predetermined deformationof the resilient retaining means to prevent more-; thansaidpredeterminedsepara tion of the slider shoe and support.

7. A current collector comprising, a} slider shoe body having agroove onthe upper side with a,

wear insertproviding a conductor engaging, surface in the groove and ahardened insert on the,

lower side cast integral therewith, asupport member having a contactportion positioned beneath, the slider shoe. engaging the insert inthelower,

side .of the slidershoe in substantially point; contact relation forpivotally supporting the slider shoe about thepoint contactvtherebetween, a

housing having side portions dependent from the shoe, clamp meansdetachably securing the. housing and slider shoe, and resilientretainingmeans positioned within the housing operatively con nected between theclamp means and the support member-for securing theslider shoe and thesup:

port member in operating relation and maintaining a predeterminedcontact pressure therebetween.

8. In a current collector,.i n combination, a.

slidershoe, a substantially vertical support p0.-

sitioned beneath the slider shoe havingaremovable pointed contact memberfor pivotally sup,-

and the housing in iixed relation, a pair of springs positioned =withinthe housing; coopera-.

tive with said means normally operable tomaintain the slider shoeandpointed contact mem-v berin a predetermine d operating relation, andmeans on the housing normally spaced from the support-operable toengagethe supportto pre vent accidental separation of the slider shoe and,predetermined deformacontact member upon tion ofthe springs.

9. A.'current collector comprising a support havin'g a pointed contactmember at the upper end, a.- housing having vanelongated opening in thelower portion for receiving the supportv and.

allowing relative movement therebetween and, an

openingin the topi,-'.a. s1 iderlsho positioned on the housing having aportion over the opening in the top for engaging the point of thepointed contact member, means secured to the top of the housing toengage the slider shoe for detachably securing it to the housing, and apair of springs operatively connected to the said means and to thesupport to maintain the slider shoe and the support in predeterminedoperating relation.

10. A current collector comprising, a slider shoe having a groove in theupper side for engaging a trolley conductor, a substantially verticalsupport member having a pointed contact member positioned beneath theslider shoe for pivotally supporting the slider shoe for substantiallyuniversal movement about the point thereof and an enlarged shoulderportion adjacent the upper end, a retaining ring positioned on thesupport member adjacent the shoulder portion, resilient retaining meanson opposite sides of the slider shoe operatively connected to the slidershoe and the retaining ring normally operable to retain the shoe on thesupport member, and a housing secured to the slider shoe having anelongated central opening therein for receiving the support member withinwardly projecting side portions normally spaced from the shoulderportions of the support member operable to engage the shoulder portionsupon predetermined separation of the shoe and support member to provideauxiliary retaining means.

EDWIN E.ARNOLD.

